ITV News gains rare access to Russian airbase in Syria amid claims 1,000 civilians killed by airstrikes

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ITV News has gained rare access to the Russian airbase Latakia, in Syria, from which planes leave to carry out airstrikes against IS militant targets.

Earlier the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed 1,000 civilians have been killed by the Russia airstrikes.

ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers sent us these photographs from Latakia, where he says the scale of deployment and investment gives the impression the Russians are there for the long term.

There are ageing Russian fighter bombers alongside more recent fighter aircraft as well as reconnaissance aircraft and large transport planes. Credit: ITV News
The planes carry out the airstrikes in Syria. Credit: ITV News
Aid not just bombs are dropped by the aircraft leaving the base. Credit: ITV News
A number of Russian media outlets are based at the airbase. Credit: ITV News